Fountain-pen



(No Model.)

L. A. SHATTUOK.

FOUNTAIN PEN.

No. 441,111. PatentedNoV. 18, 1890.

'me News swans co., vnuruma., wAsHmavon, n. c,

UNITED STATES ATENT Fries.

LAFOREST A. SHATTUCK, OF BLOOMSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOUNTAIN-PEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,111, dated November 18, 1890.

Application tiled February I 1889. Serial No. 299,937. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern.-

Beit known that I, LAFoREsT A. SHATTUCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomsburg, in the county of Columbia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain- Pens; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to fountain-pens; and it consists, first, in a combined upper-feed and pen-supporting bar arranged to conduct ink through the pen forward of the nozzle to the top of the pen-point without passing it over the heel of the pen,whereby l am enabled to construct a top-feed pen and yet keep a portion of the upper side of the pen free from ink, which is an advantage to persons having a tendency to slide the fingers forward upon the pen, as soiling the fingers with ink is thereby avoided; second, in a combined inkretaining and under-feed bar having its body portion rigidly secured within the ink-passage and its forward free point bent upward against the under side of the pen, so as to have a constant bearing against the nibs of the pen, wherebyink is prevented from dropping by cohesive attraction and the keeping of a constant supply of ink at the nibs and the conducting back of unused ink to the reservoir when the pen is not in use are accomplished; third, in the combination of the said ink-retaining bar and the said combined upper-feed and pen-supporting bar, whereby a means is secured for overcoming gravity, and thereby preventing the too sudden flow of ink to the front of the nozzle, and also the precipitation of ink from the pen-point in an irregular manner; fourth, in an improved pen, whereby its rear end can be adj usted in the upper surface of the nozzle, and at the same time its point brought more nearly in line with the central longitudinal axis of the fountain-reservoir and also a more directinkpassage provided when such ink-passage is beneath the heel of the pen, this construction also affording other advantages, as will be hereinafter set forth; fifth, in an improved nozzle, whereby` its rear end can be utilized as an ink-conductor, and also a sediment-receptacle is provided at the lower end of the reservoir, and, sixth, in other features of construction hereinafter fully set forth and specifically claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a central vertical longitudinal section of a fountain-pen with my invention in one mode of its embodiment. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of Fig. 1 in the line 0cm. Fig. 2* is a similar section in the line ac of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a plan view in detail `of the nozzle shown in Fig. l. Fig. 4 is a central vertical longitudinal section of a part of the fountain-pen, showing a form of lock adapted for use with a straight pen. Fig. 5 is a transverse section of Fig. 4 in the line g/ y. Fig. 6 is a central vertical longitudinal section of the nozzle shown in Fig. 1 with the lips cut off. Fig. 7 is a cross-section of Fig. 6 in the linee o. Fig. 8 is a central vertical longitudinal section, showing a slightly-changed arrangement of the parts shown in Fig. l. Fig. 9 is a crosssection of Fig. 8 in the line .e z. Fig. lO is a longitudinal section showing another form of the nozzle and lock, the lock taking the place of the ink-retaining bar shown in the other views. Fig. ll is a perspective view of the upper-feed bar and a pen separated from the lock. Fig. l2 is a central vertical longitudinal section showing the upper-feed bar and lower-feed and ink-retaining bar formed in one piece and the lock slightly changed in its construction and arrangement. Fig. 13 is a cross-section of Fig. 12 in the line z z. Fig. 14E is a longitudinal section showing another form of the lock, pen, and feed bars as adjusted for an under-feed pen. Fig. 15 is a cross-section of the lock changed with respect to the manner of forming the inkpassage through it. Fig. 16 shows the two feed-bars united and arranged beneath the pen, and Fig. 17 is a cross-section of Fig. 16 in the line w w.

In the drawings, A represents the reservoir or ink-fountain, and A. the cap constructed in the ordinary manner.

C is the nozzle, which forward of its point of attachment to the reservoir may be con-v structed in the usual form, but in rear of said point of attachment is provided with a novel yss IOO

reduced extension projecting into the reservoir, as shown at b in Figs. 1, 3, and 6, as at c, Fig. 10, as at din Fig. 12, orof other equiva lent construction. This extension serves as an ink-conductor by entering the reservoir, it conducting the ink back into the reservoir from the nozzle when the pen is not in use, and t-hereby preventing weeping of the ink around the screw-threads while adjusting the nozzle to the reservoir, it also tending to lead the ink into the nozzle quickly at the point where it is taken up by the feed-bars and conveyed to the penpoint. By means of this extension a pen can be provided which will respond promptly to the demands of the writer without the necessity of 'extending' the feedbars themselves into the reservoir. The pen also has the further advantage of affording a sediment-receptacle at the forward end of the reservoir and in rear of the nozzle-attachment by means of the said extension.

In Figs. 1, 3, and (3 the extension b is in form of a spear and concave-open -at top and provided with a slot in its bottom-so that ink can flow along its upper edges, bottom surfaces, and through it. In Fig. 10 the exten- 'sion c is in form of a tapered prong, which is attached to a bifurcated shank c', having an entrance c for ink at top and bottom, said entrance communicating with the hollow of the shank and the screw-threaded portion of the passage through the nozzle. In Fig. 1 2 the extension d is in the form of two prongs having inner faces flush with the bore of the lock and outer surfaces a little inward from the bore of the reservoir.

The extensions described may be of homogeneous material with the nozzle or they may be suitably connected to the nozzle and of any other suitable material than that of the nozzle. The extension or extensions, being attached to the nozzle, can be more conveniently manufactured, and their construction with the nozzle is preferable to having them formed on the lock or on the feed-bar or on the reservoir-handle of the fountain-pen, and thus constructed they form the sediment receptacle or chamber at g and also afford an additional cohesive attraction-su rface at this point,which surface comes directly into use at such times when all theink is at such point, the major portion having been exhausted in the use of the pen, and by thus coming into use prevents atoo sudden or an irregular discharge of ink, as commonly occurs under conditions such as stated with many kinds of fountain-pens provided with ordinary conductors. My extension or extensions from the nozzle may be used in conjunction with other' conductors, which are attached to the pen-lock, feed-bars, or the reservoir, if found desirable.

Vithin the nozzle a pen-lock is adjusted so asto be held by friction,as usual. This lock may be of the construction, as at D, Figs. 1-

and 2; as at E, Figs. 4E, 5, 12, and 13; as at F, Figs. 6 and 7; as at G, Figs. Sand 9; as at H, Fig. 10; as at l, Fig, 14; as at K, Fig. 15, and

as at L, Figs. 1G and 17. The lock D has an ink-passage extending through it, and it may be cut away at its rear end for one-half its diameter, as at h5, and it having a pen-seat 7L and shoulder h2, against which the pen abuts. In the lateral walls of its ink-passage grooves m m are cut for the rigid adjustment of the rear end of the ink-retaining bar B, the forward end of which is curved upward, so as to have a bearing against the under sidev of the pen. The forward end of this lock may be of dierent lengths, as at D D2, or it may be cut off ilush with or a little inward from the front end of the nozzle, as in Figs. 4, 6, 12, and 14. The end projecting from the nozzle, as at D', will give support to the` pen and the project-ion D2 will support the projecting end of the ink-retainer bar B, the saine affording a better security against the dropping of ink. The lip D2 has an opening in its pointfor cleaning purposes and for the free play of the barB upward and downward, but prevents any lateral movements. The lock E hasthe ink-passage h; but instead of the pen-seat h it has a transverse slot hsjust above the ink-passage for the heel of the pen,n

which in this instance is a straight pen. By this lock I am enabled to bring the pen-point on the same plane as with the bent pen in Fig. l. cut away, but the bar-holding grooves m m are retained. The lock F is acombination of D and E, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The lock G is similar to that shown in Fig. 1, with the exception that the seat h is made deep enough to receive both the pen and the bar B. Thelock His similar to G, except that it is adapted for a straight pen by having a penslot, the same as in Fig. 12, and having an opening, as at h4, at the base of its lip D2 for cleaning purposes. lip has a bearing against the under surface of the pen, so as to take the place of the bar B, which bal' in this embodiment of my invention is left out, as are also the grooves m m. The lock I is a combination of locks D and E, (shown in Figs. 1 and 4,) and the lock K, Fig. 15, is only changed in respect to the manner of forming the passage through it, which in this instance is a groove cut on the lower side instead of a perforation through it.

The combined inkretaining and lower-feed bar B may be formed of hard rubber or metal and of any suitable form-hat, oval curvilinear, or semi-cylindrical-and is preferably set in side grooves m m, formed in the lateral walls of the inlpassage 7L of the lock, though it maybe fitted in said passage close enough to hold by friction. It may extend through the nozzle, but preferably just enough within the ink-passage to be held in place. Its forward free point, which projects from the lock, is bent up so as to have a bearing against the under surface of the pen-point forward of the rear end of the slit in the pen. It holds all surplus .ink and feeds it to the underside of the nibs, and thuskeepsa constant supply on The lips D and D2 in this View are' IOO The extreme end of this IIO hand and conducts the unused ink back to the nozzle, and thence by the nozzle-extension into the reservoir, which action insures the keeping of the pen clean. My improved feedbar has the advantage over under-feed bars of ordinary construction, in that its bodyportion is rigidly held, while its forward free end always has a bearing against the pen, whereby the pen is prevented from bleeding at its point, and it maybe employed alone' for an under feed-pen by adjusting it quite close to the pen and adjusting' the upper-feed bar farther" back, as shown in Fig. 14, unless a very stiff pen is employed.

The combined pen-supporting and upperfeed bar B may be formed of metal, hard rubber, or any other desired material. It is slightly curved longitudinally and extends from the ink-passage of the lock up through a perforation niade in the pen at a point intermediate of its length outside and forward of the nozzle, thence along and over the nibs of the pen to near t-he point, as shown in Figs. l, 4, 6, S, lO, and 12. This bar in crosssect-ion is preferably curvilinear,though it may be fiat, and is made narrow enough to enter the ink-passage of the lock, and is held by its spring action and by friction. The object of this bar is to check the gravity of and form with the pen a channel for the ink and lead it to the pen-point, where it is held by adhesive attraction. It also follows the upward force of the under-feed bar, so as to protect the pen. This bar may be formed integralwith the under-feed bar B, as clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13,in which it appears as a loop slipped into the ink-passage and held by friction. In Figs. 8 and 9 I have shown the rear end of the bar B seated immediately beneath the pen, outside of the ink-passage; but I prefer it seated within the ink-passage, as it conducts the ink to and from the pen-point better in this way.

The pen P is preferably formed with a bend t at a point intermediate of its length.

This bend is a step downward and forward,

and it enables me to adjust the heel of the pen in the upper side of the nozzle, and yet bring the point of the pen more nearly in line with the central longitudinal axis of the pen-handle. Through this bend or step t an opening is made for the adjustment of the bar B and the passage of the ink. By this manner of constructing a top-feed pen I am enabled to keep a portion of the top of the pen immediately in front of the nozzle uncovered and free from ink, whereby danger of soiling the iin gers is avoided. I apply my invention to a straight pen, however. by seating the pen in a suitable slot or slit near the central axis of the lock, as shown in Figs. 4, 5,1o,12, 13, and 15.

In Fig 10 the nozzle is shown changed in construction to the extent of utilizing the l-ip D2 on the lock to perform the service of the bar B, which is left o. The point of the lip has a bearing against the pen, being bent up formed through the nozzle by grooving the` lower side of the lock, and by this means I am enabled to adjust the pen exactly in the center of the nozzle.

The construction of my pen is simple and` its working very satisfactory, and the opera-v tion` is as follows: When inverting. the pen to write, the ink is precipitated to the nozzle by gravity, where it'is held in part by mechanical obstruction and in part by capillary repulsion and by cohesive attraction to the feed-bar. The ink then travels along the bar B to the pen-point, being prevented from leaving said bar by gravity, cohesion, aided by, capillary repulsion, overcoming the gravity. The bar B holds the ink from dropping and feeds it to the under side of the pen-point. It also aids the bar B in conducting all the ink away from the pen when the pen is notin use. The two bars in contact with the upper and lower side of the pen furnish sufficient attraction-surface to effectually prevent the bleeding, peculiar to many single upperfeed pens.

l. In a fountain-pen, in combination, the reservoir, a nozzle, a lock having side-locking grooves m, and a bar B, locked in said grooves beneath the pen, with its forward point curved up against a writing-pen, substantially as described. v

2. A fountain-pen provided with a combined upperfeed and pen-supporting bar eX- tending from beneath through an opening in the pen at a point intermediate of its length outside and forward of the nozzle to the` upper side of the nibs ofthe pen, whereby ink is conducted beneath the heel of the pento about the center thereof and from thence to its point above the pen, substantially as described.

3. In a fountain-pen, a writing-pen having its nibs occupying a lower 4plane than its shank or body by reason of a bend or step being formed at t, and having a perforation or opening through said step, substantially as shown and described. Q 4. A fountain-pen provided with a writingpen proper having aperforated bend or step, as t, outside and forward of the nozzle, and

IOO

IIO

a bar passed from beneath at a point interat a point intermediate of its length and with a passage through said bend, substantially as described.

6. In afount-ain-pen, in co1nbinatio1 1,a nozzle, a pen, and under and Lipper feed bar-lock, an ink-retaining bar having-its forward point bent up against the under surface of the pen near its nibs, an upper pen-supporting bar, and a Writing-pen form ed With abend between its shank and nibs and perforated at said bend,fsubstantially as described.

7. In a fountain-pen, in combination, areservoir, a nozzle, a lock, a combined feed and pen-supporting bar B, passed through a perforated writing-pen, and an ink-retaining and under-feed bar B, having its rear end rigidly secured Within the ink-passage, substantially as described.

8. The nozzle of a fountain-pen, providedV Wit-h an extension or extensions beyond its screw-threaded portion, said extension or eX- tensions being formed on or attached directly to the nozzle and reaching within the reser- Voir-handle, substantially as described.

9. In a fountain-pen wherein the nozzle or pen-section of the case or holder is attached to the handle or reservoir by means of a screw-thread, the extension or extensions to said nozzle, and the reservoir in rear ofthe screw-thread attachment, said extension having a divided base at its union with the threaded portion of the nozzle, substantially as described. l Y

10. In a fountain-pen, 'in combination, a reservoir, a nozzle, alock having a perforated lip D2, a perforated pen, and a bar B, passed through the pen outside of the nozzle, substantially as described.

ll. A fountain-pen provided with a coinbined pen and bar lock having a perforated lip D2, substantially as described.

12. In a fountain-pen wherein the case or' holder is formed in separable parts, the lockholding or nozzle section of said case having a reduced extension or extensions into the reservoir-section beyond the fastening of the nozzle to the reservoir, substantially as described.

13. A fountain-pen feed-bar, in combination with a nozzle and a lock, whereby the feedbar passes through an opening in the pen and the nib end of the pen is enabled to lie on a plane about central With the axis of the ink-passage of the nozzle, substantially as described.

Intestirnony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

LAFOREST A. SHATTUCK.

W'itnesses:

EDWARD T. FENWICK,

J. P. THEO. LANG. 

